There are plenty of events going on in Tokyo to celebrate the holiday season, but this one might be the most peculiar. Elemis, a skincare brand from England, has teamed up with bus operator Upstar for Japan’s first bus tour featuring afternoon tea! This extremely limited event will drive guests around the city to see some of the most impressive Christmas lights in Shibuya, Roppongi, Omotesando, and other spots. Only 60 seats are available each day and the bus will run from December 1 until December 25, 2022.

5 Unique Features of the Elemis Special Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

① Enjoy a Special Christmas Afternoon Tea Menu by Elemis

A special Christmas menu will be available on board, including a Santa Claus shortcake and a party popper-inspired sandwich. 

② Travel on a Bus Filled with Elemis Christmas Decorations

Inside the bus, guests can enjoy fir trees and original decorations inspired by the Elemis holiday collection!

③ Best-Selling Elemis Goods will be Gifted to Guests!

Guests will receive a trial size of Elemis’ best-selling Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm as a Christmas present!

④ A Special Gift Campaign will run from November 15 until December 25

Prior to the start of the bus tour, a campaign will be held on Instagram and Twitter. Winners will snag tickets for the bus tour and an Elemis makeup set worth over $12,000!

⑤ Travel on a Special Route to Enjoy Tokyo’s Christmas Lights!

The bus tour will take visitors to some of Tokyo’s best Christmas locales, from Shibuya and Omotesando to Keyakizaka and Roppongi. The 90-minute journey starts and ends in Omotesando.

How would you like to enjoy Tokyo’s Christmas lights on a British bus enjoying some of the best beauty products on Earth? Get into the holiday spirit with this unusual and unique tour!

The popular anime series Tokyo Revengers is coming to Tobu Zoo in Saitama! From March 12 until May 15, 2022, a limited collaboration event will bring everyone’s favorite characters to this gorgeous locale in Miyashiro.

The event will feature original illustrations of Tokyo Revengers characters in animal hoodies, as well as collaboration tickets with special offers, original merchandise, themed food, and mini-games. More details will be released soon, so stay tuned!

©和久井健・講談社／アニメ「東京リベンジャーズ」製作委員会

The online commerce site ARMA BIANCA has opened preorders for some collaborative products between Attack on Titan and the Tobu Zoo.

Tobu Zoo, located in Saitama, combines a zoo, an amusement park, numerous gardens, and more. A new sketchbook is available as part of this collaboration and is perfect for amateurs and professionals. The brand is one of the most popular art brands in Japan.

Collaborative Sketchbook: ¥935 (Tax Included)

Three designs are available, featuring Eren, Levi, and a group shot of Eren, Jean, Erwin, and Levi. Featuring a rough texture, the pages are rough and durable and are perfect for watercolor. Fans can use it as a notebook too!

From January 28 until February 27, 2022, Nagato Yumoto Onsen in Yamaguchi Prefecture will host the ‘Otozuregawa Uta Akari,’ a light-up event based on a poem by children’s poet Mizusu Kaneko. 

The event will feature poem narration and music, with motifs created by children and students in the city set up to create an unforgettable scene. The ‘Uta Akari Gentou Rondo,’ a light performance set to a poem reading, and thousands of light bowls created by young people in the city will be  prepared at the venue. 

Sound and Light Entertainment ・Gentou Rondo Area

Welcomed by 3,000 Lights ・Misuzu’s Garden Area

Welcomed by 3,000 Lights ・Misuzu’s Garden Area

New Area・Dreaming Fish Area

Hage Ware Lampshades・Light of the Earth Area

Performances

Misuzu’s Garden Area（Onyu, Lawn Area）

About 3,000 elementary and junior high school students in the city created light motifs for the event. Inspired by the timeless poetry of Misuzu Kaneko, these illuminations will warmly welcome visitors.

Otozuregawa Area（Onshinkawa Onsen Park）

Large-scale lighting motifs created by local residents and workshop participants will be installed along the river. The slowly flickering illuminations will seem to float atop the gently flowing water, creating a fantastic scene.

Dreaming Fish Area（Onshinkawa Onsen Park）

In 2022, the event will take up more space on the property. A fish-shaped light will be placed in the center of Onshinkawa Onsen Park, and guests will be invited to see the many sea-inspired works donated by kindergarten and nursery school students.

Light of the Earth Area（NearOntoshoku)

Lampshades made of local Hagi ware will be installed along the riverside path near the hot spring resort. More than 20 of these lampshades were made by local elementary school students along with cooperation from teachers from the Fukagawa Kiln. The crafting school has a history of 360 years in the Minose area near Nagato Yumoto Onsen.

Gentou Rondo Area（Near Bamboo Forest Stairs)

Watch as shadow puppets dance to the music and recitation of poems by Misuzu Kaneko! The lights in the bamboo grove and plaza will playfully change as the night goes on. 

Tokyo Dome Hotel has announced that a special accommodation plan overlooking the ‘Tokyo Dome City Illuminations, which will be lit up between November 5 2021 and February 28 2022, and a matching collaboration cocktail will be available between November 5 and January 10. 

Room Example: Deluxe Double Room

A spectacular view from the rooms! Sample image of Tokyo Dome City Illuminations

Tokyo Dome City Winter Illuminations Collab Cocktail ‘Winter Bright’

Bar ‘2000’ Interior

The event theme this year is “Lights you’ll want to snap a picture of.” Tokyo Dome City, including the giant 15m Christmas tree, will be decked out in over 230,000 champagne gold LED lights which can change between white, red, blue, purple, and orange. Photo frame shaped photo-spots will be spread across five locations throughout Tokyo Dome City, full of gimmicks to offer amazing photo opportunities! In addition to the beautiful lights, there will be exciting and playful light displays to encourage visitors to take photos and have fun at the same time.

With this new accommodation plan, you can enjoy the beauty of the illuminations from the comfort of a private hotel room. The offer includes two one-time-use amusement park ride tickets per person, giving guests the opportunity to visit their favorite attractions while taking in the fantastic night view that can only be seen over the winter period. 

The Tokyo Dome City illuminations can be fully appreciated from bar ‘2000,’ who will be offering a limited-time collab cocktail during the event period. The ‘Winter Bright’ cocktail is made using strawberry and peach liquor, orange juice, and tonic water, with the red, white, and orange layers that match perfectly with the backdrop of glowing illuminations. Why not visit and spend an evening sipping on this fruity cocktail while enjoying the beautiful winter view?

To mark its 12th season, Yomiuri Land will be unveiling the new ‘Yomiuri Land Jewellumination Lights of Hope! ~A Symphony of Diverse Lights~,’ visible between October 21 2021 and April 3 2022.” The Jewellumination is produced by Ishii Motoko and is the world’s first light display to use LED lights to appear like jewels.

Grand Guignol of Hope

Jewelry Crystal

Fountain Show (from last year)

The Yomiuri Land Jewellumination opened in 2010 and is a unique spot where you can enjoy one-of-a-kind jewel-colored lights sparkling amongst the Tokyo nighttime scenery. Once again, the light display has been produced by Ishii Mitoko, a world-renowned lighting designer, who has named “Hope” as the theme for this years display, with the aim that those viewing the lights will be filled with happiness after seeing beauty, and feel a sense of fulfilment in their life. The lights this year will be lit using Green Power, a power source that is generated by natural energy and has a low impact on the environment. 

The season’s sub-theme is “A Symphony of Diverse Lights~.’ Last year, the jewel-themed areas were split by color, but for the upcoming Jewellumination, the rainbow of colors from previous displays have been combined to create a beautiful and colorful space.

The iconic Yomiuri Land ferris wheel has been titled the Grand Guignol of Hope, with the upper part illuminated in gold to express “hope and energy to live,” while the lower half is lit up in emerald green to represent “the brilliance of life.” 

The huge diamond Jewelry Crystal ring has been created in the Ranran Square, decorated in jewel motifs to create a vivid and colorful space, transporting you to the inside of a crystal.

As for the overwhelmingly popular Fountain Show which combines fire, lasers, and water, the wave pool area has been transformed into a tropical island amongst a sparkling sea, with fresh green and forest jewelry colors.

Heal your heart with the beautiful Yomiuri Land Illuminations!

Jewellumination is a registered trademark of Yomiuriland Co., Ltd.

ARMA BIANCA opened orders for a new collection of merchandise that brings together the Legosi, Haru, and Louis from the anime series BEASTARS and Tobu Zoo in Japan.

Acrylic Key Rings: Single ¥650 / Whole Box ¥3,900 (Before Tax)

The stylish trio are enjoying a day out at Tobu Zoo in the merchandise line-up. Hook one of these key rings to your bag, accessories, keys, or place them around your room.

Pins: Single ¥400 / Whole Box ¥2,400 (Before Tax)

The pins feature the characters along with their names (in Engrish it seems!)

Big Acrylic Stands: ¥1,800 Each (Before Tax)

Decorate your desk with a tall acrylic stand of either of the three characters.

Mugs: ¥1,500 Each (Before Tax)

Enjoy your morning coffee with Legosi, Haru, or Louis.

Single-Pocket Pass Case: ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

Keep your cards safe in this handy pass case which features a clear window pocket for showing your ID or other card.

Folders | ¥400 Each (Before Tax)

File your papers with these folders or even use them for decoration.

©板垣巴留（秋田書店）／BEASTARS製作委員会

The Five Story Pagoda of Ruriko Temple is a National Treasure of Yamaguchi Prefecture. The site is commemorating the 600th anniversary since the birth of Sesshū Tōyō, the Japanese master of ink and wash painting, with a special event on September 26 and 27 and October 10 and 11.

The Five Story Pagoda was built in 1442 using skilful architectural techniques from the mid-Muromachi period. It is considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful pagodas.

1,000 candles are set to be lit along the pathway to the pagoda, lighting up the way with enchanting light. The spectacle is set to be posted on the official Yamaguchi Prefecture PR YouTube page so that more people can enjoy the show.

2020 marks the 600th anniversary of Sesshū Tōyō who is considered the most prominent master of ink and wash painting in Japan. In his mid 30’s, he visited Yamaguchi so that he could cross over to China on the Ōuchi clan’s mission to Ming China. He returned to 1483 where he based himself and worked until he passed away in 1506 at age 87.

Japanese companies LEGS and TRANSIT GENERAL OFFICE are set to open the new cafe TOKYO BOX cafe&space inside Omotesando Hills on September 10, 2020.

For the grand opening of the cafe, it has been announced that it will team up with the manga series Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! to promote the upcoming live-action adaptation. The themed event will run from September 10 to October 12.

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Sumito Ōwara and serialised in Monthly Big Comic Spirits. The live-action film, which will hit Japanese cinemas on September 25, 2020, stars Asuka Saitō, Mizuki Yamashita, and Minami Umezawa—all members of the Japanese idol group Nogizaka46—as the main character.

Customers at the collaborative cafe can enjoy a selection of food inspired by the series as well as get their hands on exclusive merchandise.

The full menu and merch list will be announced in early September on the cafe’s official website.

Japanese company arma bianca and Tobu Zoo have announced a special event in collaboration with HAIKYU!! TO THE TOP which will take place at Tobu Zoo from October 3 to December 27 this year.

Fans who roll up to Tobu Zoo during this time will find illustrations dotted around featuring the characters of HAIKYU!! themselves visiting the zoo. Fans will also be able to get their hands on pre-sale merchandise of the characters in superdeformed mode, enjoy food inspired by the series, and more.

Further details will be announced in the coming months in the lead up to the event, so watch this space.

©Haruichi Furudate / Shueisha・”HAIKYU!!” Production Committee・MBS

teamLab’s upcoming new digital art exhibition teamLab: Resonating Life in Acorn Forest is set to open in Higashi-Tokorozawa Park in Saitama on August 1, 2020. The interactive display will react to and change from the presence of people.

The Kadokawa Culture Museum calls the collection of oaks and other deciduous broadleaf trees of Musashino the “Musashino Woods.” These Musashino Woods transition through the greens of spring and summer, display beautiful autumnal leaves from fall until early winter, and are home to ripe acorns in autumn.

Deciduous broadleaf forests were widespread in Japan during the Jomon Period. These forests were home to acorn-bearing trees, and acorns were a major food source for the Jomon people. During the Jomon Period, many people existed alongside the acorn forests, living easily with this abundant food source.

teamLab’s Digitized Nature art project uses non-material digital technology to transform nature into art without having a physical impact on it.

teamLab: Resonating Life in the Acorn Forest will transform the acorn forests of Musashino into an interactive art space which changes due to the presence of people.

Autonomous Resonating Life – Liquified Light Color, Sunrise and Sunset / teamLab, 2020, Interactive Digital Installation, Sound: Hideaki Takahashi

With sunrise, the ovoids begin to reflect the world around them. When pushed down by a person or blown by the wind, the ovoids fall back and then rise releasing a resonating tone. The ovoids around it also respond one after another, continuing to resonate with the same tone.

As the sun sets, the ovoids shine by themselves. When an ovoid is pushed by a person or blown by the wind it falls down and then rises, a sound resonates out, and it emits a light color specific to the sound.

Resonating Trees / teamLab, 2014, Interactive Digitized Nature, Sound: Hideaki Takahashi

The trees shine brightly. The light of each tree is autonomous, slowly blinking.

The light transmitted from Autonomous Resonating Life – Liquified Light Color, Sunrise and Sunset causes the trees’ lights to change color, and a tone specific to that color resonates out. The light of a tree is transmitted to the surrounding trees one by one, as the sound is continuously emitted.

When a light resonates from the trees in the distance, it signifies the presence of people. Perhaps people will become more aware of the existence of others in the same space.

The town of Chikuzen in Fukuoka Prefecture is home to a 2km strip of cherry blossom trees which bloom their pink beauty along the Kusaba River in spring. The area sees countless people flock there during the Hanami season to see the trees in full bloom.

But Kusaba River isn’t only home to cherry blossoms; it also sees rape blossoms sprout their yellow flowers during springtime, which offers a beautiful contrast to the overhead pink from the cherry trees.

The place is lit up in the eveningsーa great chance to see the cherry blossoms in a different light at night.

Rich verdure lines the whole of Kusaba River, so be sure to visit if you’re heading to Fukuoka this spring to see the cherry and rape blossoms.